Gas $ Got You Down? FREE Ideas for Using Less

As if it isn't bad enough that Denver gas prices are tipping the $3 mark, pundits today predicted petrol will climb to $5 by Memorial Day. Sigh. Granted, this could be a lot of speculative gum chewing, but thanks to the ongoing anti-government protests in Libya and other oil-producing nations, I think it is reasonable to question the reliability of crude oil shipments from Africa and the Middle East.

So, maybe it's time to wean ourselves off the petrol juice. But how? Here's some of the best tips we've heard for saving money on gasoline. Use them and we guarantee you'll save some money.

Invest in a shopping cart

1. Drive less often. Better yet, park that guzzler and take the train or bus. Hoof it whenever possible. Walking is good for you and the environment and pretty cheap, even if you have to invest in some good walking shoes. If you use your car less often, let your auto insurance company know - there should be a reduced premium.

2. Get a bicycle. Preferably something used. Try FreeCycle (join here), or a used bike dealer. If you are really broke check out a co-op like Denver's Derailer Bicycle Collective (also a great place to learn bike repairs and to donate your old bikes or parts, by the way). Find something comfortable and practical for your use - inexpensive, reliable transportation. Then use it. I know some people hate electric-assisted bicycles but I say use them if this makes using a bicycle more practical for you.  Denver B-Cycle, a city-wide bike sharing effort that resumes in March, says that if every worker in Denver replaced two, 2 mile car trips with bicycle trips, every week for a year, then citywide 2.5 million gallons of gasoline would be saved.

3. Get a scooter or moped. Yes, they still use gas, you can't use them in bad weather and there are certain safety issues, but it is still cheaper to operate than a car. Yes, you need insurance, etc. Check out whether your machine needs to be registered, etc. at the DMV site here.

4. Car pool. Less gas, less wear and tear, less parking cost all means less money spent, more energy conserved. Check you auto insurance though, to make sure all liability issues are covered.

5. Learn to drive economically. Avoid aggressive starts from traffic lights and stop signs and quit hard braking. Anticipate traffic flow, so you drive as smoothly as possible, reducing the number of stops and fast accelerations. Coast to a stop, instead of burning up your fuel by heating your brakes. When there are multiple driving lanes available to you, try to use the one that is less prone to stops (e.g., traffic having to slow dramatically to execute right turns from the right lane, or coming to a stop to turn left. Plan your drive to avoid periods of traffic congestion. You get 0 mpg when idling in stopped traffic.

6.Don't idle. When stopped, shut off your engine. Remember that you get 0 mpg when your engine is idling. In a typical gasoline-fueled vehicle, idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel than re-starting the engine.

7.Trip chain. Plan your errands to reduce the distance traveled and combine errands. This reduces the total miles traveled and your fuel consumption costs. Your engine operates better when it is warm anyway.

8. When shopping for replacement tires, look for fuel-saver types. These may carry labels like: energy, economizer, low rolling resistance. By reducing road losses, they conserve energy. Check the air pressure. Under-inflated tires increases fuel consumption and tire wear. Overinflated tires can cause uneven tire wear, and reduce the contact area with the road, and control of the vehicle. Remember that tires that wear out prematurely have to be replaced sooner, costing you more money.

89 Toyota

9. If you have a heavy fuel-consumer now that is in good condition, and your only issue with it is its high fuel consumption, it is probably not worth your while to trade it in just for the fuel savings. Fuel savings will likely be worth only a small percentage (5% or less) of your total cost of ownership. When it's time to buy your next car, buy the smallest, most fuel-efficient vehicle that works for your lifestyle.

10.  Use sites like Denver Gas Prices and Gas Buddy to find the best prices on gas in your neighborhood.